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Rangers defender Borna Barisic is to be handed a significant pay rise as part of the new contract that he agreed with the club last week.

Football Insider reported that the 27-year-old will earn more than £20,000 per week at Ibrox, with his new four-year deal amounting to more than £4.5m in wages after firm approval from chairman Dave King.

According to Football Insider, the Croatian left-back is now in the same wage bracket as Allan McGregor and Ryan Jack, both of whom also signed new contracts this season, and is substantially closer to the £30,000+ per week being pocketed by the club’s top earners Alfredo Morelos and Jermain Defoe.

Barisic had some rocky moments during his first season at Rangers in 2018/19, with the Sunday Post alluding to how he got on the wrong side of manager Steven Gerrard following a poor performance in a training ground friendly in which the ‘Gers trailed 4-0 to Liverpool under-23s at half-time. However, the 27-year-old has established himself as a key presence in the Light Blues’ line-up this season.

Prior to Wednesday night’s game against Hibernian, he had provided 14 assists for the campaign so far, more than anyone else in Gerrard’s squad. He has also contributed to a miserly Rangers defence that conceded just 13 Premiership goals going into February – and six of those were shipped in the four league matches that he missed (1.5 per game). When the Croatian has been in the team, the ‘Gers have let in only seven goals in 19 league matches, a remarkable concession rate of just 0.37 goals per game.

Barisic has averaged 1.8 interceptions per game this season, the second highest in the Light Blues squad, and only three players have surpassed his match average of 1.8 successful tackles (as per WhoScored). As well as offering Rangers a frequent creative presence when getting forward, he also contributes more than his fair share defensively.

Considering what Barisic has given to Rangers from both an attacking and defensive outlook, it seems only right that his new contract has elevated him among the highest wage earners at Ibrox. Also, having been castigated by Gerrard following that infamous friendly against Liverpool’s under-23s, the manager said that he now has “a fantastic relationship” with the Croatian (as per Daily Record), who had been linked with a move to Roma last month (according to Sunday Post).

The 27-year-old has very much earned his pay rise at Rangers and it is little wonder that King was so eager to sanction his £4.5m+, four-year contract at the club.

Rangers fans, do you think that Barisic has deserved his pay rise to more than £20,000-a-week based on his performances this season? Comment below with your views!

According to Turkish outlet nethaber.com, Newcastle are amongst a number of clubs interested in Vedat Muriqi.

What’s the story.

It appears that a whole host of Premier League side are eyeing the Kosovo international.

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The report says that Burnley, Manchester United and Leicester are also keen, whilst Ligue 1 outfit AS Monaco are also linked with an interest. Apparently, a €35m (£29.5m) fee is “expected” for the 25-year-old.

Exactly what they need

Newcastle’s struggles in front of goal are no secret so far this campaign. In the English top tier, they have managed just 24 strikes – there is only one side in the whole division which has managed less. That has been mainly down to a distinct lack of firepower up front – Joelinton has scored just once in 25 games in the league to date, whilst Andy Carroll has failed to hit the back of the net. Yoshinori Muto, currently injured, has managed just one.

Muriqi, though, is a proven goalscorer in Turkey. Currently playing for Fenerbahce, he has 13 goals in 22 matches this term, and that return is no flash in the pan. Last term at Caykur Rizespor, he scored 17 in 36, whilst he also has eight goals in 23 matches for his country. With 1.7 key passes and one dribble per match this season in the Super Lig, the 25-year-old clearly has ability.

At £29.5m, he would not come cheap – that would make him the Magpies’ second most expensive signing in their history – and, as Joelinton has proven during his stay in Tyneside, a big fee does not guarantee success at the highest level. However, Muriqi is a goalscorer, and that is exactly what Steve Bruce is crying out for – they were linked with the likes of Olivier Giroud and Jarrod Bowen during the January transfer window, but they were unable to complete a deal for either. Now, they will have to wait until the summer, but they could do an awful lot worse than this striker.

Meanwhile, Newcastle target this 22-year-old once compared to Neymar.

Tottenham Hotspur take on Aston Villa this weekend in a potentially vital Premier League game.

The club are currently four points behind fourth-placed Chelsea and they can ill-afford any slip-ups as they attempt to catch Frank Lampard’s men.

A win would take them within one point of the Blues prior to their Monday encounter with Manchester United.

Victory, then, is imperative; Football FanCast takes a look at the team that manager Jose Mourinho should select at Villa Park.

Hugo Lloris is the undisputed first-choice in goal and needs to play.

At right-back, Serge Aurier has been excellent in recent weeks and has averaged a rating of 7.29 in the Premier League.

In the centre of defence, Mourinho has a question to answer due to Ben Davies’ return to training.

The Wales international should play at left-back if he proves his fitness and that would free up Japhet Tanganga, who has been deputising, to play in his preferred centre-back role.

The big fat Tottenham quiz of 2019 – how much do you remember about the last year at Spurs?

Assuming that happens, who does the Portuguese drop? Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld, and Davinson Sanchez will all be vying for the spot next to Tanganga and one feels that Alderweireld is the best option. He is less erratic than Sanchez and is quicker than Vertonghen.

In midfield, both Erik Lamela and Giovani Lo Celso reportedly missed training ahead of this weekend’s game so it is safe to assume that both could miss out.

Thus, a midfield pivot of Harry Winks and Tanguy Ndombele would offer genuine dynamism as well as ball retention and assiduity.

Further forward, it would allow Dele Alli to slot into the No.10 role vacated by Lo Celso, and then there is the potential of playing Lucas Moura on the right and Ryan Sessegnon on the left.

The former Fulham star was on the bench against Manchester City but he played on the wing in the FA Cup fourth-round replay against Southampton; he should be playing on the left flank here.

And that would allow Son Heung-Min to deputise for the injured Harry Kane through the middle.

Meanwhile, Spurs have missed out on this absolute baller!

This has been shared on social media website Twitter, and it has got the Liverpool fans talking. Some are clearly delighted by the update.

It is fantastic news for Jurgen Klopp. With the Reds still competing in three competitions as it stands, another player to rely on will be a boost as the Anfield outfit go in search of a potential treble.

Call yourself a Liverpool expert? How much did each of these big-money January signings cost?

Others have picked up the fact that he may now be in line for a Premier League medal.

To pick up a Premier League winner’s medal, you need to make at least five appearances in the competition, and they can even be from the bench. With 12 matches still to play, Clyne is very much in with a chance.

One fan, meanwhile, has even said it could be bad news for Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Obviously, this is tongue-in-cheek – the 21-year-old is arguably the best right-back on the planet right now, as last year’s Ballon d’Or rankings indicate, and he has already managed 10 assists in the Premier League this term. However, some competition at right-back may at least keep him at the top of his game.

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Meanwhile, Liverpool lead the race for this 21-year-old nicknamed the “Dereham Deco”.

Nobody wants to imagine life without Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds United, but the fact of the matter is that the Argentine isn’t going to be at Elland Road forever.

The 64-year-old is certainly coming towards the back end of his career, and nobody is expecting him to stay at the club for decades, but his exit from Yorkshire could come prematurely if recent reports are to be believed.

What’s the story then?

Spanish outlet El Desmarque are reporting that the Leeds manager is a target for Real Betis as the Spanish side look for a new boss.

Of course, this wouldn’t be the first time Bielsa has managed in Spain, he did a great job at San Mames, guiding the Basque side to a Europa League final during his time at the club.

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There are scores to settle for Bielsa in Spain, but will he leave Yorkshire? One trend that has followed the Argentine throughout his career suggests that he could be on his way out.

Worrying trend

Bielsa has never ever been one to stick around at a club.

He’s left each of his last three jobs after less than two seasons, and even when he was managing Newell’s Old Boys, the club described by Phil Hay as his ‘big love’, he only stayed for 18 months.

The Argentine isn’t one to be tied down, and it’s already been predicted that he’ll leave Leeds if they aren’t promoted to the Premier League.

Even if he gets Leeds up, there’s still the chance that he’ll go, his contract is up this summer, and a third season at Elland Road would be unprecedented as he’s never managed a club side for more than two years.

Bielsa hasn’t managed in the Premier League, and it’d be rather counter-productive to leave just after promotion, but it’s almost impossible to predict what El Loco will do next, and his trend of leaving clubs early should have alarm bells ringing at Leeds.

In other news, Leeds are in more danger every passing day that one saga isn’t concluded.

Steven Gerrard has issued a statement on his future at Ibrox.

The Rangers boss plunged his position as manager in doubt after the club’s defeat to Hearts in the Scottish Cup quarter-final – following the full-time whistle, he said that he’d need to do some “real, serious” thinking in the aftermath of the loss.

Unless the Gers win the Europa League, Gerrard will become the first Rangers manager in 68 years to go two seasons without a trophy.

His side currently sit 12 points behind Celtic in the Scottish Premiership – albeit with a game in hand – and lost the Scottish League Cup to Neil Lennon’s side after a 1-0 defeat, in which Alfredo Morelos missed a penalty.

However, Gerrard has now spoken out on his future with a conclusive statement.

What did he say?

Speaking before Rangers’ game against Hamilton on Wednesday, Gerrard said: “I am all in, I signed up to something here and I knew there would be real setbacks and this is when the club needs me most to stay on, fight and push forward on the progress we have made in a lot of areas whilst learning to ensure the mistakes don’t happen again.”

Four decisive words

Gerrard’s uttering of the four words “I am all in” is pretty conclusive.

He can be a very emotional figure – as we saw countless times during his days at Liverpool – and his comments in the wake of the defeat to Hearts may well have been emotionally-charged by the loss, although we wouldn’t want to speculate on the validity of them.

However, now he has said that “I am all in” it can hopefully put to bed any more talk about where his future lies, and Rangers can get back to focusing on footballing matters as opposed to speculation.

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Fair play to Gerrard for coming out and quickly calming the waters with a decisive comment on the matter.

In other news, Gerrard’s ex-teammate has spoken out on the Englishman’s situation at Rangers…

Rangers fans have taken to Twitter to react after Steven Gerrard spoke out about his future.

The ex-Liverpool captain plunged his future at Ibrox in doubt following the club’s Scottish Cup quarter-final defeat to Hearts on Saturday when he said that he needed to do some “real, serious” thinking.

Unless his side win the Europa League, Gerrard will become the first Rangers manager in 68 years to have gone two successive seasons without winning any silverware.

The Gers did, however, come close to winning the Scottish League Cup, but suffered a 1-0 defeat to 10-men Celtic in a final where Alfredo Morelos also missed a penalty.

Rangers are also 12 points behind the Hoops in the Scottish Premiership, albeit with a game in hand.

However, speaking ahead of the Gers’ game against Hamilton on Wednesday, Gerrard said that he’s “all in” at Ibrox and committed himself to the club.

Let’s see how the Rangers fans on Twitter reacted to that statement…

To kick off the reaction, these three fans were all delighted to hear what Gerrard had to say.

Their happiness is understandable, as mounting speculation over a manager’s future is never healthy at a football club, and hopefully the Rangers players will now be able to focus on achieving the best results out on the pitch without having to worry if Gerrard will leave.

Elsewhere, two other fans were quite happy with the news , with one saying that he hopes Gerrard gets some money to spend.

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However, Teddy Bear was quite annoyed as they appear to feel that the boss’ comments are just mere soundbites with no substance, as Gerrard continues to use the same players and formations every week with differing results.

In other news, Gerrard’s ex-teammate has shared his views on whether or not he thinks the Englishman will walk out on Rangers…

Liverpool made hard work of their victory against Bournemouth on Saturday.

The Reds went 1-0 down in their match against the Cherries following Callum Wilson’s tap-in, and it was only thanks to two poor defensive errors from their opponents that they were able to re-take the lead through Sadio Mane after Mohamed Salah had equalised.

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And they could have been pegged back had it not been for a stunning James Milner clearance in the second half. Filling in for Andrew Robertson at left-back, he provided a captain’s performance that helped his side get over the line.

Defensively, the 34-year-old was as solid as a rock. He made four clearances, one interception and two tackles, whilst he also blocked three shots. Not only that, he won five from his seven ground duels, and both duels in the air.

Going in the other direction, he completed 86% of his passes and also managed one cross. All in all, that added up to a 8.3 SofaScore rating – he fully deserved to be ranked as one of the top three players on the pitch.

Before this weekend, Robertson had started all but one of the Reds’ 28 Premier League matches, coming on from the bench in the other. Here, though, the £10.8m-rated Milner came into the team after Jurgen Klopp revealed the Scotland international was “something between rested and injured”.

The European champions do not have a wealth of depth at left-back. Milner is actually next in line after Robertson – he is the only other senior option who has any real experience in the role.

Starting him there against the Cherries certainly could have backfired, but the former Leeds man, as he so often does, stepped up to the plate admirably.

This should put Klopp’s mind at ease for the rest of the campaign – if, for whatever reason, Robertson is available, then Milner has proven himself to be a reliable deputy.

Meanwhile, Liverpool fans are left baffled by this decision from Klopp.

Rangers have been a sinking ship in 2020, failing to win five of their league matches and falling 13 points behind their rivals Celtic.

Steven Gerrard has been questioned about his future while even the skipper, James Tavernier, has been seriously criticised by the fanbase.

One of the most concerning aspects has been their leaky defence. Basic errors are made on a frequent basis with Tavernier’s failed clearance against Hearts still fresh in the mind. Connor Goldson’s defensive lapse against Hamilton was also a moment to forget.

Another issue is the form of Alfredo Morelos – he is yet to score in 2020 and is stuck on 29 strikes for the campaign.

It looks likely that Rangers will end the season without a trophy and still some way off Celtic. Owner Dave King commented in April 2019 that he thought the Light Blues were bridging the gap. In doing so, he made a remarkably bold claim.

“It was never going to be easy and it is extremely gratifying to have witnessed the progress that has been made over the last year. We are now within tangible reach of Rangers becoming the dominant force in Scottish football again,” he noted.

Almost a year on, the end goal of becoming the primary force in the SPFL is still far away. Unfortunately, they may have to wait even longer.

With Celtic’s potential deal with Adidas in mind, their financial firepower will presumably be even greater, meaning their room for error in the transfer window will be far larger than Rangers’. That’s a huge issue for a club who now have Ross Wilson as their Sporting Director.

He walked through the doors at Ibrox in October of last year and has only had one transfer window to conduct since arriving. Ianis Hagi, who has scored three times after joining on loan, was an impressive capture but there is little to suggest he’s a safe pair of hands when you give him a transfer budget.

Previously at Southampton, Wilson made some catastrophic blunders. In fact, he wasted over £83.1m on players who simply didn’t cut the mustard at St Mary’s.

The most recent of those was Che Adams. The Saints forked out £15m for the striker in the summer but he is still yet to score a goal. That’s a similar tale for Mohamed Elyounoussi and Guido Carrillo who cost £16m and £19m respectively. They’re out on loan after failing to hit the back of the net in their debut campaigns.

The mistakes extend beyond attackers. Defender Wesley Hoedt was brought in for a fee of £15m before going onto make two individual errors leading to goals and putting the ball in the back of his own net twice.

Two-goal midfielder Mario Lemina (£18.1m) hardly set the world alight either.

The fact of the matter is that Wilson clearly isn’t one to spot top-level talent. He did bring Virgil van Dijk to the south coast but that is a rare jewel on his rather underwhelming crown.

Life after football: Do you know what all of these former players did next?

If Rangers are going to bridge the gap they’ll need to strengthen in the transfer window and be smart about the way they spend their money. It’s worrying, therefore, that Wilson has had a habit of spending big with little success.

If he continues to do so then King’s ultimate aim for Rangers will take a considerable period of time to achieve.

Meanwhile, Rangers should be KICKING themselves after missing out on one January signing…

According to TuttoMercatoWeb, Tottenham are interested in making a stunning swoop for Erling Haaland.

What’s the word?

The former RB Salzburg striker only joined Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund in the January transfer window for a reported fee of £17.1m.

But according to Italian publication TuttoMercatoWeb, there are several teams that are continuing to monitor Haaland’s future, including Juventus who have “never stopped watching him carefully”.

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Aside from the Bianconeri, the report further claims that both Manchester United and Spurs would also be very interested in the centre-forward, and that “in the summer they could launch their attack”.

Revival

What a major coup this would be.

Haaland has been the unquestioned breakthrough star of the season in European football, netting a ridiculous 40 goals in just 30 games. That includes a blistering start to life in Germany, where he has found the back of the net nine times in just eight Bundesliga matches.

It’s the kind of goal-scoring record that would leave any team drooling at the prospect of signing him, but in Spurs’ case, they may need him more than any other team. Daniel Levy’s failure to seal a new striker for Jose Mourinho’s side in the January transfer window left them desperately short of options up front, particularly after the injuries to Harry Kane and Heung-min Son.

Money talks: How much did Levy pay for each of these Spurs stars?

Having lost Fernando Llorente last summer, Spurs were already in dire need of someone else to share the burden with Kane. But if Haaland is available for a shock move just months after joining Dortmund, then Levy must mastermind a stunning move for him this summer. It could spark the kind of revival that boosts spirits and lifts the energy around the club following a campaign of turmoil which has seen Mauricio Pochettino leave.

A swoop for Haaland – described as “phenomenal” by former Salzburg teammate Maximilian Wober – can help light a fire in Spurs once again.

Meanwhile, this forgotten about Spurs ace should be given one last chance by Mourinho.